I'm the luckiest man alive! I just bought a 10/10 Vacuum Elliptic Pro really cheap. It hasn't been used at all because the seller broke her wrist right after she bought it. I will be receiving this austrian made beauty this week:

The grip was totally worn down. The 4 1/4 grip is to small for me. I want to enlarge it but don't want to add too much weight because I will be adding either a Wilson Shock Shield (best grip I've ever tried) or a babolat leather (for that classic feel). So I'll probably enlarge the sides of the grip with polystyrene. That will give me a more flat grip without adding to much weight. The racket already weighs 335grams without a grip.

Just strung it up with Signum Pro Micronite (Discho Microfibre) at 50lbs. I wanted a india gut and WC MB hybrid but the racket only allows one piece stringing. The racket still feels as soft as butter, even without the grip.

The Elliptics are all designed in Austria and AFAIK, none were actually made in Austria. All my Elliptics have 6 mains through the bridge and are from the original mold. Later molds had 8 mains through the bridge and played completely differently. All mine say designed in Austria.

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Latershow, the Fischer Prestige I wrote you about has a similar PJ as the Elliptic Pro from Slitch only it does not have the bleuish colour, just the lime and smoke.

Yesterday I gave into my addiction and bought a Elliptic Comp Pro. The Comp will become my #1 backup stick. Don't have a clue what to string it up with.
The Elliptic Pro is just to beautiful to play with and I'm afraid I'll ruin it.

My elliptic comp pro just came in and thank god it's a austrian made beauty. It only needs a grip enlargement and some cleaning agent. The weird thing is that the handle is made out of graphite. I have never seen that before in my life! I expect some magnificent feel and feedback due to this.

The weird thing is that the handle is made out of graphite. I have never seen that before in my life! I expect some magnificent feel and feedback due to this.

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Not weird at all - all of the Austrian-made Fischer frames (and Austrian-made Kneissl frames of the same era, too) were molded in this fashion, with different molds for each grip size frame - not foamed or plastic pallets on hairpins (as is now ubiquitously done).

And yes, this is one design aspect that gives them that special ball feel.

Not weird at all - all of the Austrian-made Fischer frames (and Austrian-made Kneissl frames of the same era, too) were molded in this fashion, with different molds for each grip size frame - not foamed or plastic pallets on hairpins (as is now ubiquitously done).

And yes, this is one design aspect that gives them that special ball feel.

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Even the modern Aldi rackets have graphite handles instead of foamed ones.

Not weird at all - all of the Austrian-made Fischer frames (and Austrian-made Kneissl frames of the same era, too) were molded in this fashion, with different molds for each grip size frame - not foamed or plastic pallets on hairpins (as is now ubiquitously done).

And yes, this is one design aspect that gives them that special ball feel.

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Very interesting. I will check if my Elliptics feature graphite handles, as they were all designed in Austria and are shown earlier in this thread. From a cost standpoint, this would be quite expensive as you rightly point out: different molds for each grip size!!!

Yesterday I gave into my addiction and bought a Elliptic Comp Pro. The Comp will become my #1 backup stick. Don't have a clue what to string it up with.
The Elliptic Pro is just to beautiful to play with and I'm afraid I'll ruin it.

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Anybody have a theory as to the differences between the "Elliptic Comp" and "Elliptic Comp Pro" that belongs to Slitch? I always assumed the "Pro" designation meant the headsize was 90 inch, as Retrowagen showed us on the first page of the thread. It seems that Slitch's Comp Pro is indeed the same headsize as the regular Comps. Now I'm confused...

Anybody have a theory as to the differences between the "Elliptic Comp" and "Elliptic Comp Pro" that belongs to Slitch? I always assumed the "Pro" designation meant the headsize was 90 inch, as Retrowagen showed us on the first page of the thread. It seems that Slitch's Comp Pro is indeed the same headsize as the regular Comps. Now I'm confused...

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No, perhaps you misunderstood - the Elliptic series frames are all 98 square inches (630 cm2); the Vacuum Pro (Classic) came as a 90 or 98 ("Mid size" or Midplus).

Fischer model names are tricky to catalogue; the firm seemed rather capricious when assigning them (and re-using them over subsequent years and series, even across molds). Among the early Elliptic frames, "Pro" seems to have meant the Graphite/Fiberglass/Silicon Carbide (ceramic fiber) layup, stiffest of the series. Some of the Pros had a molded-in Vestoran (ski base polysynthetic material) bumper, some had the plastic replacable bumper.

My "everyday" Elliptics that I play with the most are some Elliptic Comp models, same exact vintage and graphics as Slitch's new frame above, but with the Graphite/Fiberglass/Kevlar composition. And slightly more flexible.

Thanks for clearing up my confusion regarding the headsize, Retro. Now I realise why I assumed this. In the Twin-Tec thread started by Rorsarch, there is a photo of the sky blue Twin-Tec Mid Pro on top of a regular Twin-Tec, and I guess I got my Elliptics and Twin-Tec's confused!

Didnt realise there was some fiberglass in the Elliptic Comp's. Is this coming from a catalogue you have from that era, or just from how the racquet plays?

Some of the Pros had a molded-in Vestoran (ski base polysynthetic material) bumper

Retro, were not does bumpers only on Twin Tec's?
And what about their "Open" model series. I have a nice Open Prestige with that Nicole Durr designed smoky/lime paint job.
The mould looks very similar to that of the Elliptic models.

Some of the Pros had a molded-in Vestoran (ski base polysynthetic material) bumper

Retro, were not does bumpers only on Twin Tec's?
And what about their "Open" model series. I have a nice Open Prestige with that Nicole Durr designed smoky/lime paint job.
The mould looks very similar to that of the Elliptic models.

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The Open racquets were all a flat beam design and the Elliptics were all tapered beam, early Opens were 95 sq in later they were 98 sq in.
Opens were entry level pre strung graphites usually 50 / 50 layup.

The Open racquets were all a flat beam design and the Elliptics were all tapered beam, early Opens were 95 sq in later they were 98 sq in.
Opens were entry level pre strung graphites usually 50 / 50 layup.

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The vacuum Elliptic Pro had a Vestoran bumper...sorry to jump in Retro !

The vacuum Elliptic Pro had a Vestoran bumper...sorry to jump in Retro !

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Cheers - glad you're here. Vacuum Elliptic Pros had the inset Vestoran skid; Elliptic Comp Pros had the replacable plastic bumper. Some of the nomenclature of these Fischer models can be confusing! They are all excellent racquets, though.

Cheers - glad you're here. Vacuum Elliptic Pros had the inset Vestoran skid; Elliptic Comp Pros had the replacable plastic bumper. Some of the nomenclature of these Fischer models can be confusing! They are all excellent racquets, though.

The Open racquets were all a flat beam design and the Elliptics were all tapered beam, early Opens were 95 sq in later they were 98 sq in.
Opens were entry level pre strung graphites usually 50 / 50 layup.

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Does the tapered beam theory of the Elliptics also apply to the later chinese models?
I have a yellow late model Elliptic midplus with a beam that looks perfectly straight, no tapering what so ever, or atleast, it seems that way.

That Open Prestige is indeed straight too with a wider beam than the Elliptics.

Does the tapered beam theory of the Elliptics also apply to the later chinese models?
I have a yellow late model Elliptic midplus with a beam that looks perfectly straight, no tapering what so ever, or atleast, it seems that way.

That Open Prestige is indeed straight too with a wider beam than the Elliptics.

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There was a yellow and blue camo ND graphic model Elliptic Fun that was a tapered beam made both in Austria and later in Taiwan before the shape (and cost) changed to a much flatter beam. The flat beam Opens are all 25mm. + - Paint.

Last week, I bought Fischer Elliptic Comp. It was made in Austria and is in excellent condition. It still has original Fischer string and Fischer's logo on it. I guess it's from 1991. I have Fischer Vacuum Pro from that year, and, in comparision with the Elliptic Comp, their paintjobs are almost identical. The Elliptic Comp is greener at 5 & 9, but overall they are very similar, even the 'finishing tape' is the same. The original cover has also 'camouflage' colour scheme.

Thanks for asking. I hesitate to say too much about it - a few years ago, I started talking about another favorite of mine, the 1988 Head Elite Pro, a relatively obscure but surprisingly good midsize frame, and rather quickly, those became very expensive to buy!

I do wish one of the racquet manufacturers out there would take the formula of the Fischer Elliptic and put it into modern production. All of the various tapered-beam (6 mains through the throat bridge) Elliptic models, strung intelligently, offer an excellent compromise between easy power, outstanding ball control, excellent manoeuverability, useful hitting area with a large sweet spot and uniform response, and provide it packaged with the legendary, crisp but cushy "Fischer feel." It's easier on the arm and joints; not overly stiff, but not "trampoliney" or uncontrollably powerful (as with a widebody) either. Fischer engineers in the late 1980's/early 1990's seemed to have taken a great deal of interest in looking at vibration characteristics of racquets, and designing their layups and structures to be tuned to amplitudes and cycles that were comfortable to users. It has, in stock form, sufficient weight and a good balance to be an effective weapon and easy to use without modification. It is also the sort of racquet by its design which does not limit the user to one specific style of play - it is quite effective for the heavy topspin baseliner or the classic, flat-hitting serve and volleyer, or anything in-between.

Though I do have a Vacuum Elliptic Pro (the 1991 variant with the removable plastic bumper, not the inlaid Vestoran-bumpered type like the concurrent Vacuum Twin Tec frames), lately, I like and routinely play with the most flexible variants (with the pedestrian 50% graphite/50% fiberglass layup) the best, and would put them up against any new racquet. I routinely playtest the newest gear, but still return to these old Fischers, because nothing after them has been as good.

My favorite midsize frame is the 1988 Head Elite Pro, and my favorite midplus tennis racquets are the various Fischer Elliptic models.

A few Elliptic Comps:

The pretty Vacuum Elliptic from 1991:

The ultra-rare Vacuum Elliptic Pro of 1990:

And I also enjoy my Twin Tec and Twin Tec Pro from 1991:

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Hi Retro, could you tell me something more about the White Elliptic SL in the first picture? I have the chance to buy one of these, very cheap price, it's a good racquet? I would like to know the weight and the stiffness, if possible. I'm currently using the VT pro 98 . thank you so much.

Hi Retro, could you tell me something more about the White Elliptic SL in the first picture? I have the chance to buy one of these, very cheap price, it's a good racquet? I would like to know the weight and the stiffness, if possible. I'm currently using the VT pro 98 . thank you so much.

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Yes, Cesare, the Elliptic SL is from the year 1990 and is made with the same graphite fiberglass Kevlar layup as the Elliptic Comp of the same year. The difference is that it is lighter in overall weight.

I don't have a machine to measure its stiffness, but I would guess that it is stiffer and much more manoeuveable than your VT Pro 98, but still with excellent feel and control. The head size and string pattern is identical to your VT Pro 98.

You should buy it and give it a try! I am going to guess that you will like it!

Yes, Cesare, the Elliptic SL is from the year 1990 and is made with the same graphite fiberglass Kevlar layup as the Elliptic Comp of the same year. The difference is that it is lighter in overall weight.

I don't have a machine to measure its stiffness, but I would guess that it is stiffer and much more manoeuveable than your VT Pro 98, but still with excellent feel and control. The head size and string pattern is identical to your VT Pro 98.

You should buy it and give it a try! I am going to guess that you will like it!

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Thank you Retro, i really appreciate your input. Not easy to find a racquet like this in pristine condition here in Italy, so i guess that i'm lucky and i'm goin' to buy it as soon as possible! Another racquet i saw around was the Twin Tec Pro with the "Charlie Steeb" signature, but this is way more expensive. Probably one of the most beautiful paint-jobs i've ever seen in my life.

Retro, the Fischer Elliptic SL has just arrived today,and thank God like-new condition, very beautiful frame, but i thought that it was lighter than 327 grams unstrung! Anyway i'm goin' to string it on saturday and i'll let you know my court's impressions of this Austrian beauty.

Retro, the Fischer Elliptic SL has just arrived today,and thank God like-new condition, very beautiful frame, but i thought that it was lighter than 327 grams unstrung! Anyway i'm goin' to string it on saturday and i'll let you know my court's impressions of this Austrian beauty.

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That's great news, Cesare. I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of it.

That's great news, Cesare. I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of it.

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Ciao Retro, as i promised you, here's my report of the initial impressions of the Elliptic Sl. First of all, i added some weight just above the grip to make it feel just a little more Headlight,and now the unstrung weight is 338 grams. Strung with my favourite strings, the Solinco Tour bite soft 1,20 22/ 20 kg . With this setup,the racquet has a lot of pop and spin on the ball, way more than my VT pros,same string and same tension.Sometime i have to slow down my Groundstrokes because of control issues, but after this adjustement, i really like the free power that the frame offers. I really enjoy serving with this Elliptic great pace and also nice second kick serves. Slightly less feel than my Vt pros, but i'm thinking to switch because of the easy power and great spin especially with my forehand. Thanks alot mate for your input!